Chesterfield were formed in 1866, making them the fourth oldest club currently operating in the Football League. They have been playing at what is officially the 'Recreation Ground', but is almost universally known as 'Saltergate', since 1871. Called Chesterfield Town at that time, they didn't make it into the League until 1899 when they were elected to Division Two. These were mainly years of struggle, with frequent re-elections, until they were replaced in 1909 in a straight swop with Lincoln City from the Midland League. During the First World War they resigned from the Midland League and closed down, only returning in 1919 as Chesterfield Municipal. They were Champions in 1919-20 and dropped the 'Municipal', thereafter to be known as Chesterfield. In 1920-21 they finished third and were given one of the automatic places on the formation of the Division Three North at the end of that season.

Chesterfield's ground, situated in the Whittington Moor area of the town

As new boys we should probably be more respectful, and there are long-standing League clubs who've done less, but the self-protectionist racket the Football League increasingly became makes us, we will cheerfully admit, somewhat bitter / envious. Throughout their time in the FL Chesterfield have tended to the top end of the bottom division (under whatever terminology) for long periods, with briefer spells towards the lower end of the next division up. To be fair to them they never had to apply for re-election during this second spell in the League.

Younger football fans will probably know the club for two things. Firstly the fairy tale. In 1996-97 they got to the semi-finals of the F.A. Cup, and but for an atrocious bit of officiating would have beaten Middlesbrough and made the Final. Boro survived through extra time, and then comfortably won the replay. Secondly the disgrace. In 1999-2000 they were relegated bottom of Division Two. Their turn around seemed spectacular, as the following season they were challenging for the title. However their relatively new owner was cheating financially, to such an extent there was a serious groundswell of opinion and moves at the AGM to expel the club from the Football League completely. In the end they got a nine point deduction and £55,000 in fines and costs.

Inside the stadium, looking out towards the South Stand.

Since then Chesterfield has been recovering from the debacle of that period, as they try to rebuild their finances honestly. They've tended to
wobble between third tier and fourth tier football - too good for League Two, but with a tendency to struggle at
League One level. They were relegated to the fourth tier in 2007, but in 2011 have found their way back up again. In between that time
out of League One, they've moved out of Saltergate, moving into a 10,600 capacity purpose-built 'community stadium' that cost
£13,000,000, opening in the summer of 2010. We went there for the first time during the 2011-12 season, but on the field of play they were struggling and were relegated in 22nd place. However, after two seasons in fourth tier football, they were
promoted again, as 2013-14 League Two Champions, and so resume life back in League One.

The Main Stand inside Chesterfield's stadium. This is where the players will emerge from.

Ticket Prices :
Yeovil Town supporters have been allocated the Rubicon North Stand. This is a covered seated
stand behind a goal, that holds up to 2,112 spectators. If it's bad weather, we'd suggest sitting a few rows back, as the first few
rows tend to attract the rain, despite the cover.

Advance tickets for the 2014-15 fixture can be purchased from the Huish Park Ticket Office and are as follows:

There are no student concessions. There are no matchday surcharges for this game. However, note that Chesterfield's ground operates via
cashless turnstiles. If you do not buy from Huish Park in advance, you will need to purchase your ticket from a booth that is situated just
outside the turnstiles. If lots of away fans turn up at the same time, then expect some queues.

Disabled Info: Disabled supporters requiring a wheelchair space must liase with Melanie Cooper on 01246-209765 Ext 4112.
You can also email her at melaniecooper@chesterfield-fc.co.uk - facilities
are available in all four stands, but for precise needs above the usual, it's recommended that you contact Melanie to make provisions.

Disabled supporters pay the above rates, according to your age. Chesterfield's policy is to allow an assistant to gain admission free of charge for Wheelchair Disabled supporters. For
ambulant disabled supporters, they require proof of entitlement, using the documentation issued by the Department of Works and
Pensions showing that the Disabilty Living Allowance is in the Middle or Higher Rate of Care. Note that they will ask you
to take a reserved seat as part of their stadium emergency evacuation procedure.

Chesterfield is about six miles west of the M1, two-thirds of the way up on the section between Nottingham and Sheffield.
Leave at Junction 29 if coming from the South, Junction 30 if travelling from the North. The new ground is situated around
1.5 miles north of Chesterfield town centre, and just under two miles from the railway station.

Chesterfield has a spire. It's crooked.

By Road

From The South:
This is the route that West Country and London based Yeovil Town supporters should come from.
Leave the motorway at Junction 29. At the roundabout take the second exit onto the A617 dual carriageway for 7 miles or so.
At the end of the A617 get in the right hand lane and at the roundabout take the 4th exit, joining the A61 northbound - this is another
dual carriageway. At the next roundabout take the first exit at the Tesco roundabout. Go past the Gordon Lamb garage on the left, with the
Donkey Derby on the right. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit and drive along the B6057 Sheffield Road. You should be able to see
the ground on your left just past the Tesco entrance.

From The North:
At Junction 30 exit towards Barlborough (also signposted Chesterfield). Approaching Barlborough there's a roundabout.
Take the last exit, which is signposted Staveley and Chesterfield, onto the A619. You cross back over the M1. This is a slow old
A road through small villages and general built up areas nearly all the way along. Don't be tempted to break the limit - there are
loads of speed cameras all the way.

In Staveley there's the Speedwell Arms, a brew-pub (mentioned further down), on your right if you fancy a stop.

In Brimington follow the A619 round the large island. Keep in the left-hand lane and following signs to Chesterfield. At the bottom of
Brimington Hill you'll see a Sainsburys.
At the Sainsburys roundabout keep in the left-hand lane and follow the A619 towards Tesco. At the Tesco roundabout take the 3rd exit.

You have now joined up with the same route as your southern based fellow fans. Go past the Gordon Lamb garage on the left, with the
Donkey Derby on the right. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit and drive along the B6057 Sheffield Road. You should be able to see
the ground on your left just past the Tesco entrance.

Parking

Like Southampton, Colchester and Swansea, this is one of these new stadiums where you'd swear there was a nuclear reactor at the centre of
it, such are the efforts to try to keep traffic away from it. Chesterfield state that: "Car parking at the Proact Stadium is by permit only
and operation is controlled by a Traffic Management Plan approved by a Safety Advisory Group, comprising safety experts, the police and
yadda yadda yadda ... you get the picture".

Thankfully you are sort of walking distance from the town centre, so this isn't the worst of them all. Advice is that the Tesco car park
is patrolled on matchdays so don't be tempted to drop the car in there unless you're prepared to take your chances. There is some limited early
parking along the side streets that join Sheffield Road. Obviously the nearer you get to kick-off, the further you'll expect to walk once you've
found a space.

One thing to note if you do get a spot in the official club car park, which we would imagine applies only to officials and disabled
supporters, that they do not allow traffic to enter or exit the car park 30 minutes before and after the games. Coaches and pedestrians
will be the only things that move in those car parks.

By Supporters Coaches

The Green and White Supporters Club are running coaches to the match for this 2014-15 season fixture as follows:

Coaches will depart from from Yeovil Bus Station at 7.30a.m. and from Huish Park at 7.45a.m. Cost of travel will be £26.00
with concessions available at £24.00. Non-GWSC members are welcomed and will pay two pounds extra.

To place your booking, send a text message to Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570. If you want to call him please only do so after 6.00p.m. You can also reach him at paulhadlow@outlook.com - Remember in all cases to ensure you make clear which match you are booking for, your full name (and any other names you are booking for) and a contact telephone number.

The view of the North Stand away end as you walk to the turnstiles - the ticket booth is visible in front of you.

By Rail

There are a number of routes one can take for this one, using either Yeovil Junction or Yeovil Pen Mill, but in terms of fewest
changes and quickest journey time one option is by far the best. The 07.30 train out of Pen Mill gets you into Bristol Temple
Meads at 09.05. From there take the 09.30 service direct to Chesterfield, arriving 12.02. Other alternatives involve leaving from
Yeovil Junction and going via Salisbury or Basingstoke before you head up towards Bristol or Birmingham respectively, but
that guarantees at least one more train.

On the return, note that you only have the 18.06 and 19.06 that will get you home on the day. Both land you back home at Yeovil
Junction via a couple of changes, just before and just after midnight.

For those going from the South-East, London St Pancras is your station.
East Midlands Trains run direct services to Chesterfield at 25 and 55 past the hour.
Journey time is 2 hours plus or minus ten minutes. The direct returns to St Pancras depart Chesterfield at 39 minutes past the hour
until 19.39hrs when you're into the territory of needing changes.

It's just under two miles from the railway station to the ground. Follow the footpath that leads past the Chesterfield Hotel and
up Brewery Street over the dual carriageway. Turn right down the steps and proceed along Infirmary Road past Chesterfield College
and straight ahead along Canal Wharf. Where this joins Hazlehurst Lane bear right onto a new footbpath which runs alongside the
dual carriageway. Proceed until the footpath runs along the boundary of the Casa Hotel to emerge at Lockoford Lane
From here you should be able to see the Proact Stadium and so the rest is straight-forward.

Inside the North Stand - the standard away allocation.

By Bus

For those who don't fancy the 30 minute walk from the town centre to the ground, there are a number of bus services operating that
head in that direction. However, there is also a football shuttle service that leaves roughly every 10 minutes between the centre of
the town to the stadium. Designated stops are: Goldwell Hill Car Park, Ashgate Road, Saltergate (Chesterfield's old ground), Rose Hill,
Donut (Holywell Cross) Car Park, Sheffield Road, Lockoford Lane, Tesco Slip Road, Proact Stadium. If you're coming from the railway
station, then the nearest stop is probably the Holywell Cross Car Park, known by the locals as the Donut Car Park. This is situated
close to the foot of the Saltergate road in the town centre.

Taxis

If you feel you are likely to need a taxi in Chesterfield a selection of companies can be found
here.

As a warning, although Chesterfield fixtures have little reputation for trouble Derbyshire police are reported to be an officious
bunch and regularly try to corral visiting fans, particularly those arriving by train who they can pick on easily.
They also like filming you for no
good reason. For those that justifiably resent this sort of treatment arguing your civil rights will possibly just ensure you miss the
game down the local nick. Probably better not to display colours or a West Country accent when Mr Plod is around until you are ready to
go to the stadium in your own time. That said, maybe our reputation as one of the friendliest most affable set of fans on the circuit
goes before us, as I don't recall seeing any police around the town on our last visit.

Club Bar :

There is no specific club bar. There are certainly concourse bars selling alcohol inside the ground. Whether that extends to the away end, isn't
completely clear - Chesterfield talk about 'beverages' being available for away fans.
Aside from that they tell you that you can get "the wonderful locally produced Jackson Pies" at their teabars.

The Community Stand - note the empty seats to your left are left as overflow for very large away followings

Local Pubs :

With a population of around 100,000 Chesterfield has over 100 pubs and bars, which is a very good ratio. The ground is around 25-30 minutes walk from the town centre, The Sheffield Road (B6057) provides a fairly straight-forward walk between the two areas - obviously if you come in via public transport your starting point will be the town centre.

As well as those pubs selected below for more detailed descriptions, around the centre you'll also find a Yates' Wine Lodge, the
Slug & Fiddle, The Blue Bell, Barkers, Carters, Bar 69, Ritters, Chandlers,
The Golden Fleece, the family orientated Barrow Boy, The Barking Badger, which is about the first you'll see if
arriving by train, and plenty more.

Then there are the hostelries along Saltergate itself : the Gardeners Arms, Local Heros, Barley Mow (detailed below),
and the County Hotel, which serves good food.

The third area is the "Brampton Mile", which runs along Chatsworth Road towards the suburb of Brampton. We've detailed three below:
the Royal Oak, and the Peacock and Victoria Inn which are further out. But along this stretch there's also
The Star, The Britannia, Rose and Crown, Brampton Ale House, The Brampton Mile, Red Lion,
New Inn, The Alma, The Barrel, The Anchor, amd that probably doesn't exhaust the list.

If you can't find a pub you like around Chesterfield you're not trying.

The most local beer comes from Townes Brewery in Staveley, four miles North-East of Chesterfield. It's a brew-pub and
principly supplies itself - the Speedwell Inn - but around forty other oulets in the region take its production on an
occasional basis. Whim Ales, from Hartington on the western edge of Derbyshire, appear in number of pubs in Chesterfield,
and with the South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire borders close by beers from those counties sometimes show up.

Barley Mow: Not to be confused with another Barley Mow much further away in Langer Lane. This one is on Saltergate, close to the old ground. Has Marston's Pedigree and John Smith's Bitter. Serves good food. Before the Spireites moved grounds the barmaids would scantily dress in Chesterfield colours for those heading to the game. We don't know if they're still doing this - if they are it's doubtless in a far quieter environment.
Barley Mow, 52, Saltergate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1JR. Tel: 01246 232792. Map:Click Here.

Chesterfield Alehouse: Brand new micropub situated south-west of the railway station and just south of the old Saltergate ground. Opens from noon until 10.00p.m. every day. Large number of beers and ciders from small or local brewers - usually six real ales and ten ciders. They also do a number of bottled beers. Note that the layout of the pub is more like a cafe - it appears to be a converted retail shop - and so you'll find no food, no TVs, no flash decor, no alcopops, spirits, cocktails etc. Just beer, and tables and chairs to drink that beer from.
Chesterfield Alehouse, 37 West Bars, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1AG. Email:chesterfieldalehouse@gmail.com. Website:Click Here. Map:Click Here.

Derby Tup: Now Chesterfield are up on the north side of the town, this is one of the closest pubs to the stadium. That's good cos we really do like pubs in the tiny Tynemill chain. We've been in ones in Boston, Nottingham and York and they've all been excellent. Regular beers are the likes of Castle Rock Harvest Pale and Screech Owl, plus Taylor Landlord. There are usually four or five more occasional guest ales, plus a traditional cider, most commonly Biddenden Dry or Pheasant Plucker Dry - all in all up to 10 pumps on at any given time and the majority from local brewers. What more could you want? Well there's Hoegaarden Wit, a traditional Belgian wheat beer, Stella Artois and Heineken Lager, Murphy's Stout on tap and a range of continental bottled beers. Food is available lunchtimes from noon to 2.30 p.m. Wheelchair friendly. Opening times are : Monday - Thursday 12.00 noon - 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.; Friday - Saturday 12.00 noon - midnight; Sunday noon - 11.00 p.m. Although there seems to be flexibility at some venues in the main Tynemill pubs have a no children policy. Welcomes football fans.
Derby Tup, 387, Sheffield Road, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8LS. Tel: 01246 454316. Map:Click Here.

Portland Hotel: A better than average Wetherspoon (one of two in the town), in their J D Wetherspoon Lodge guise, just south of Saltergate. Has parking and a child certificate. Opening is 9.00 a.m. – midnight Sunday - Thursday, 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 a.m. Friday - Saturday. Marston's Burton Bitter and Pedigree, Greene King Abbot and Theakston Best Bitter are the less than exciting regulars but it makes more effort than many Wetherspoon outlets with its guests, offering a wide range including frequently those from the Wentworth Brewery.
Portland Hotel, West Bars, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1AY. Tel: 01246 245410. Map:Click Here.

Red Lion: One of two pubs close to the new Chesterfield stadium that has the CAMRA rubberstamp of approval. This is the only fixed outlet in the town for the Old Mill brewery and thus is worth a visit for that - serving their Mild, Best and Bullion brews as well as other choices. No food. Opening hours are noon until 11.00p.m. except Sundays when they shut half an hour earlier.
Red Lion, 570 Sheffield Road, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8LX. Tel: 01246 450770. Map:Click Here.

Royal Oak: In the market area of the town (access by walkway from Market Place). Two rooms on different levels and with different entrances, but served by a single central bar. Up to six real ales on, with Deuchars IPA, Greene King Abbot and Stones Bitter as the regulars. Food is lunchtimes. Only opens evenings on Monday and Tuesday (7.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.) but is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. the rest of the week, except Sunday, when it is only open from 11.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m.
Royal Oak, 1, The Shambles, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1PX. Tel: 01246 237700. Map:Click Here.

Rutland Arms: In the town centre, just off the eastern end of Saltergate and adjacent to the crooked spire itself. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. (12 noon - 10.30 on Sundays), with a wide range of reasonably priced food served from 12.00 noon - 7.00 p.m. every day. Beers are two or three from the excellent Deuchars IPA, the equally excellent Taylor Landlord, Greene King Abbot and Badger Best. There are guests and regular mini beer festivals. Weston's Old Rosie cider is usually available. There's darts available as well. Children welcome.
Rutland Arms, 23, Stephenson Place, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1XL. Tel: 01246 205857. Map:Click Here.

The Market: Less than ten minutes stroll from the railway station, this is a busy town centre tavern with a 'local' feel. Although a chain outlet with Greene King Abbot, Marston's Pedigree, Taylor Landlord and Tetley as the house beers the owning Pubco offers its landlords a couple of dozen guests a month, and this one likes to offer as many as possible - with up to five on at a time. Food lunchtimes only. Opening 11 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. (7.30 p.m. - 10.30 p.m. Sunday). Can get very busy at the weekend.
The Market, 95, New Square, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1AH. Tel: 01246 273641. Map:Click Here.

Travellers Rest: One of three pubs recommended to away supporters around Chesterfield's new stadium, and probably the one we know least about. Has TV screens and pool tables. Opening hours Mon-Fri 11:00a.m. - 11:00 p.m. On Saturdays they close an hour later. On Sundays they open an hour later. Some reports that they do food, but we know not when and what.
Travellers Rest, 425 Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8LT. Tel: 01246 450741. Map:Click Here.

White Swan: Town centre pub situated just south of the station. A freehouse but one that heavily stocks beers from the Raw Brewing Company which is based just outside the town in Staveley. Open from noon until midnight with an hour extension on Friday and Saturday nights. They do twelve beers and ciders, and also serve food.
White Swan, St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7TJ. Tel: 01246-229570. Website:Click Here. Map:Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Not a clue. Derbyshire is just a county you go through. The Peak District is nice and worth stopping in, but that's to the west of the
county. O.K. East Derbyshire is just a place you go through. Chesterfield is in the east of Derbyshire.

Top-Tip :

There's a spire. It's crooked. It'll still be crooked even when you sober up.